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Great Events for Readers…and Wonderful Reading
I had a great time last night at the Fairfield Public Library in Connecticut giving a talk to a very engaged audience about Great Book Group Books. I love getting out to meet readers and share with them the books that I am excited about. I always am surprised at how many books even avid readers are not familiar with. Over the course of 90 minutes, I shared background about books and anecdotes about authors. I drove home energized by the enthusiasm of the audience, and I have answered emails from a few of them today. The photo above is me with Claudia Silk (far left) and Mary Coe (far right) from the library staff who kindly invited me, along with another staffer, Linda Quinn.
Relaxing = losing myself in a book. My schedule is so hectic, and when I am reading it’s one of the few times I make myself stop. Okay, being honest, sometimes I knit when I read, but in the early morning and late nights, it’s typically just me and a book. I have been known to multitask watching television while answering email. I joke that a show like "The Americans" can trip me up on this when they start speaking Russian and I have to rewind to read the subtitles. Yes, I miss a lot of the subtle nuances when I am multitasking with television and email; with a book, I concentrate. I think it’s the reason I derive so much pleasure from reading. It’s one of the few times in a day that I am not dragged into a new direction as an email bell chimes, the phone rings, the door opens or someone appears with a question.
Last weekend, I read BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate, which will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection when it publishes on June 6th. As noted last week, it is historical fiction about a scandal where Georgia Tann, the director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. Then I read STAY WITH ME by Ayobami Adebayo, another author who I am interviewing for BookExpo’s Author Buzz. It is set in Nigeria and is an emotionally packed story about a couple and their marriage. I will have more about this after BookExpo. It will be in stores on August 22nd.
Last October, I attended a Young Adult preview event and heard about BANG, a novel by Barry Lyga, which released last week. I came home from the event and devoured it; it's such a sharp book. The story line: Sebastian Cody at the age of four accidentally shot and killed his infant sister with his father’s gun. Ten years later, Sebastian has lived with the guilt and horror for his entire life. Now he is contemplating his own future as he reflects on what his action wrought. I always wonder what happens to the families after a tragic shooting like this (I thought that Sue Klebold's memoir, A MOTHER’S RECKONING, was brilliantly insightful into this). Barry's book is powerful. Nothing was glamorized. It was honest and raw and tough and wonderful. We have our review here, and we also included the book in this month's Young Adult Books You Want to Read feature, which you can see here. It's the kind of book that I wish I could read again --- for the first time.
There are two big events for book lovers this week. Saturday is Indies Day, a day to celebrate independent bookstores across the country, and Children’s Book Week, which will be celebrated in more than 700 locations this year! More in our News & Pop Culture section below.
And now to this week’s update...
Elizabeth Strout is back with her much-anticipated follow-up to last year’s MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON. In ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, which is made up of nine linked stories, we are introduced to a number of intriguing characters, including two sisters, each of whom follows a different path in life; a janitor whose faith is tested when he tries to help an isolated man; and a grown daughter who longs for the love of her mother, even as she comes to accept her mother’s happiness in a foreign country. And fans of Strout’s 2016 novel will be especially pleased by the appearance of an adult Lucy Barton, who returns to visit her siblings after being away for 17 years.
Harvey Freedenberg has our review and says, “Strout has mastered the linked story form, and the subtlety with which she orchestrates the connections between her characters across the individual stories inevitably will encourage rereading.”
Another bestselling author, Fredrik Backman, returns in fine form with his latest novel, BEARTOWN. The title refers to a tiny community nestled deep in the forest that is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. Beartown’s saving grace, though, is their junior ice hockey team, whose members (all teenage boys) are about to compete in the national semifinals. However, this very match leads to an act of violence that leaves a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and travel through all of Beartown, impacting every single resident.
Reviewer Kate Ayers calls BEARTOWN “a surefire bestseller” and goes on to say, “There’s so much heartbreak here, so much wisdom and raw emotion packed inside, that reading this novel makes for a powerful experience.”
Lisa Jewell’s I FOUND YOU, which we gave away copies of in our Sneak Peek contest back in October, is now in stores and will be a Bets On pick. The book opens in a windswept British seaside town, where a single mom finds a man sitting on the beach outside her house and invites him in, despite knowing nothing about him. Meanwhile, in a suburb of London, a 21-year-old newlywed is heartbroken when her husband doesn’t come home from work one night and then is stunned when the police inform her that he never existed. Twenty-three years earlier, teenagers Gray and Kirsty are on a summer holiday with their parents. Their annual trip to the quaint seaside town gets disrupted by a young man who starts paying extra attention to Kirsty, which makes Gray very uneasy. Connecting these three narrative strands is a dark, haunting mystery.
According to reviewer Katherine B. Weissman, “I FOUND YOU is not just a whodunit; it’s about families, strangers, loss, loneliness and memory. Anybody who likes character-driven thrillers should try it.” You can read my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include GOLDEN PREY by John Sandford, which revolves around Lucas Davenport’s first case as a U.S. Marshal --- a case that sends him into uncharted territory; LETTERMAN: The Last Giant of Late Night, a biography of David Letterman from New York Times comedy critic Jason Zinoman, who explains the retired late night host’s enormous legacy; and THE RED HUNTER, a stand-alone thriller from Lisa Unger, in which two wronged women on very different paths find themselves in the same dark place (we also have an interview with Lisa, which you can read here).
We are pleased to announce that THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP, which we gave away copies of two months ago, is our latest Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight title. It’s a new novel from Graeme Simsion, whose previous two books were the bestsellers THE ROSIE PROJECT and THE ROSIE EFFECT. Two decades ago, Adam Sharp’s piano playing led him into a passionate relationship with Angelina Brown, an intelligent and strong-willed actress. They had a chance at something more, but Adam didn’t take advantage. Now, on the cusp of turning 50, Adam likes his life but still can’t stop thinking about what could have been. And then, out of nowhere, Angelina contacts him. We will feature our review of THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP, which releases on Tuesday, and an interview with Graeme in next week’s newsletter.
THE NIGHTINGALE, Kristin Hannah’s longtime bestseller that came out in 2015 and appeared on numerous “Best of the Year” lists, is now available in paperback for the first time and is the latest title in our Paperback Spotlight. The novel evokes the epic panorama of World War II and explores a crucial part of history seldom seen: the women's war. It tells the stories of two sisters, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France. We have many links to share with you in celebration of this long-awaited paperback release: our review, an interview with Kristin, a discussion guide, and my Bets On commentary, which originally ran two years ago shortly after the book’s hardcover release.
THE NIGHTINGALE is one of the books we’re giving away in this year’s Mother’s Day contest. Five winners each will receive all 13 of our featured titles, along with some special mom-themed treats. Be sure to fill out this form by Monday, May 15th at noon ET for your chance to win one of these prize packages for yourself or for the special mother in your life.
Knowing that some book groups “wait for the paperback,” on ReadingGroupGuides.com we’re giving three book groups the opportunity to win 12 copies of THE NIGHTINGALE in April’s “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest. To be eligible to win, all you have to do is tell us what your group is currently reading. You can do so by filling out the form on this page; the deadline for your entries is Tuesday, May 9th at noon ET.
Brenda Jackson’s newly published romantic suspense novel, SEIZED BY SEDUCTION, is the latest title in our New Release Spotlight. From the moment his eyes meet hers across the crime-scene tape, ex-con turned bodyguard Quasar Patterson knows he has to see the mysterious Dr. Randi Fuller again. She's a renowned psychic investigator who can foresee danger for others, but not for herself. That makes Quasar doubly determined to watch over her as she's drawn into a dangerous gang rivalry. Even as they surrender to the heat between them, there's no guarantee of a happy ending now that an enemy has her in his sights.
We love talking about books on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Where do YOU talk about books? That’s our latest poll question; click here to let us know!
Our previous poll asked which of 15 nonfiction titles releasing in April you are planning to read. The top vote-getters were MANDERLEY FOREVER: A Biography of Daphne du Maurier, by Tatiana de Rosnay (31%), KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann (27%), THE AMERICAN SPIRIT: Who We Are and What We Stand For, by David McCullough (23%), and PRINCE CHARLES: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life, by Sally Bedell Smith (18%). Click here for all the results.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, May 12th at noon ET what books you’ve finished reading, and you’ll have a chance to win INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins and GINNY MOON by Benjamin Ludwig, both of which we’ll be reviewing next week and the latter of which will be a Bets On selection.
You only have until this Monday, May 1st at noon ET to enter this month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest by submitting your comments about the audiobooks you’ve listened to. Winners will be awarded the audio versions of Steve Berry's THE LOST ORDER, read by Scott Brick, and Lisa Scottoline's ONE PERFECT LIE, read by George Newbern.
We learned the sad news this week that Robert M. Pirsig, who is best known for his 1974 novel, ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE, passed away at the age of 88 after a period of failing health. His publisher, William Morrow, called his book “an enduring landmark of American literature that has inspired millions of readers” and went on to say, “Pirsig’s two books, ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE: An Inquiry into Values and LILA: An Inquiry into Morals, explored a thesis that quality is the basis of reality, and that this understanding unifies most East Asian and Western thought.”
News & Pop Culture:
Reader Mail: Suzanne wrote, “I am a subscriber for many years and have emailed you before. In our paper today is the story of a young woman with advanced ALS. She reads a book a week and posts a review on her blog, Book Thoughts from Bed. Her backstory is amazing, and she does this with her eyes and a computer. I urge you to go to the Kansas City Star and read her story. Reading offers so much, and we should never underestimate the power of books.” Thank you, Suzanne. That was inspiring. Here’s the article that features Michelle Melland, and here is her blog.
Jodi wrote, “Just finished THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS by Laurie Frankel! Just loved this book...so many great group discussions topics. Tough stuff but very current and real. We all have similar happenings with our families and friends. These people...kids...need to feel comfortable in their skin. Talk...talk...talk.”
Judy wrote, “The first email I read on Friday is yours.” This made my day!
Edgar Award Winners: These prizes were given out last night. Here is a list of the winners!
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winners: They were announced last Friday night. Click here for all the winners!
May 1-7 is the 98th annual Children’s Book Week: The Children's Book Council and its charitable arm, Every Child a Reader, have geared up to make this celebration the biggest ever. Teachers, librarians and booksellers nationwide will host dedicated story times, activity hours, scavenger hunts, author events, costume characters --- or a combination of celebrations --- at more than 700 event locations in all 50 states. You can see the locations of events across the country here. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.” Voting for the 10th annual Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards will extend through Children’s Book Week, ending on May 7th, giving kids and teens an extra opportunity to vote online for their favorite titles.
Independent Bookstore Day: This is a one-day national party on the last Saturday in April. Every store's celebration is different. But in addition to authors, live music, cupcakes, scavenger hunts, kids events, art tables, readings, barbecues, contests and other fun stuff, there are exclusive books and literary items that you can only get on that day. Not before. Not after. Not online. Click here for a list of participating stores.
"Rewrites": A Fully Dramatized Fiction Podcast: This week The Story Plant launched a seven-episode fully dramatized fiction podcast called "Rewrites." Written by New York Times bestselling author Tawni O’Dell, it’s a seriocomic story of a man who believes society is devolving because people don’t read enough and devises a surprising solution --- a reality TV show about novelists. It is a love letter to book lovers. You can learn more about the show and listen here.
"The Handmaid's Tale": I do not get Hulu, so someone is going to have to weigh in and tell me about this!
I am reading OPTION B : Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. I remember reading about Sheryl talking about Option A not being available (when she was bereft that her husband was the only one she wanted at one of her children’s events after he passed away), so she started to explore Option B. It is a very thought-provoking and personal story on the subject of grief, loss and moving on.
Greg left for California yesterday; he is going to a Land Rover off-road driving event outside Sacramento. It will involve camping. My idea of camping is Best Western. In addition to going to college, Cory works at an engineering company (his project is working on the Wittpenn Bridge in NJ, which is pretty cool). Yesterday was Take Your Child to Work Day, and Cory got to see many of his co-workers’ kids in action. His Children’s Book Week mug was definitely a hit with them.
Quiet weekend on tap. The garden is screaming for attention; the weeds are calling my name. There is also a pile of books calling my name. Which will win? I have brought all the plants that were wintering over inside out into the sunshine. Useful factoid: Watering with a hose is easier than watering with a watering can.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
Featured Review: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
by Elizabeth Strout
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE by Elizabeth Strout (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kimberly Farr
Here are two sisters: One trades self-respect for a wealthy husband, while the other finds in the pages of a book a kindred spirit who changes her life. The janitor at the local school has his faith tested in an encounter with an isolated man he has come to help; a grown daughter longs for mother love even as she comes to accept her mother’s happiness in a foreign country; and the adult Lucy Barton (the heroine of MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, Elizabeth Strout's celebrated New York Times bestseller) returns to visit her siblings after 17 years of absence. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman
BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Marin Ireland
A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, Beartown is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semifinals, and they actually have a shot at winning. Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semifinal match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made, and like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
New Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight:
THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP by Graeme Simsion
THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP by Graeme Simsion (Fiction/Humor)
Two decades ago, Adam Sharp’s piano playing led him into a passionate relationship with Angelina Brown, an intelligent and strong-willed actress. They had a chance at something more --- but Adam didn’t take it.
Now, on the cusp of turning 50, Adam likes his life. He’s happy with his partner Claire, he excels in music trivia at quiz night at the local pub, he looks after his mother, and he does the occasional consulting job in IT. But he can never quite shake off his nostalgia for what might have been.
And then, out of nowhere, from the other side of the world, Angelina gets in touch. What does she want? Does Adam dare to live dangerously?
Set to the soundtrack of our lives, THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP follows along with emotion and humor as one man looks back on his past and decides if having a second chance is worth the risk.
THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP releases on May 2nd. We will feature our review of the book and our interview with the author in next week’s newsletter.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Graeme Simsion’s bio.
- Connect with Graeme Simsion on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to read more in our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight.
New Paperback Spotlight:
THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Polly Stone
With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war.
THE NIGHTINGALE tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France --- a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
- Click here to read a review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read Carol’s Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
- Click here to read Kristin Hannah’s bio.
- Click here to visit Kristin Hannah’s website.
- Click here to connect with Kristin Hannah on Facebook.
Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
New Release Spotlight: SEIZED BY SEDUCTION
by Brenda Jackson
SEIZED BY SEDUCTION by Brenda Jackson (Romantic Suspense)
From the moment his eyes meet hers across the crime-scene tape, ex-con turned bodyguard Quasar Patterson knows he has to see the mysterious Dr. Randi Fuller again. She's a renowned psychic investigator who can foresee danger for others, but not for herself. That makes Quasar doubly determined to watch over her --- the closer, the better --- as she's drawn into a dangerous gang rivalry.
Both her psychic gift and their blinding chemistry tell Randi that she and Quasar are fated to be entwined. Even as they surrender to the heat between them, there's no guarantee of a happily-ever-after now that an enemy has her in his sights. And claiming a future will take more than Quasar's strength and skill. If he can't risk the heart he's always held in check, they'll both lose for good.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Brenda Jackson’s bio.
- Click here to visit Brenda Jackson’s website.
- Connect with Brenda Jackson on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.
Bookreporter.com's 12th Annual
Mother's Day Contest: Books Mom Will Love
Mother’s Day is a time to recognize the woman who raised and nurtured us. To celebrate, we're giving you the opportunity to win books and goodies for you or the special lady in your life in our 12th annual "Books Mom Will Love" contest. From now through Monday, May 15th at noon ET, readers can enter to win one of our five prize packages, which includes the books listed below, along with some delightful mom-themed treats. With books that are moving, uplifting, humorous and informative, look no further than Bookreporter.com for the perfect gift for Mom.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review: GOLDEN PREY by John Sandford
GOLDEN PREY by John Sandford (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Richard Ferrone
A Biloxi, Mississippi, drug-cartel counting house gets robbed, and suitcases full of cash disappear, leaving behind five bodies, including that of a six-year-old girl. Lucas Davenport --- who now works for the U.S. Marshals Service --- takes the case, which quickly spirals out of control, as cartel assassins, including a torturer known as the “Queen of home-improvement tools,” compete with Davenport to find the Dixie Hicks shooters who knocked over the counting house. Things get ugly really fast, and neither the cartel killers nor the holdup men give a damn about whose lives Davenport might have saved; to them, he’s just another large target. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
An Interview with Lisa Unger, Author of THE RED HUNTER
Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling, award-winning author of 15 novels, including IN THE BLOOD, CRAZY LOVE YOU and INK AND BONE. Her latest stand-alone thriller, THE RED HUNTER, introduces readers to two wronged women who are on very different paths yet find themselves in the same dark place. In this interview, Unger reveals how kung-fu and kickboxing served as part of the inspiration for the book, what she admires most about each of her main characters, why there is never a “true villain” in any of her novels, and who she could see playing the roles of Zoey and Claudia in a potential film version of THE RED HUNTER.
THE RED HUNTER by Lisa Unger (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Julia Whelan
Claudia Bishop’s perfect life fell apart when the aftermath of a brutal assault left her with a crumbling marriage, a newborn daughter, and a constant sense of anxiety about the world around her. Now, looking for a fresh start with a home restoration project and a growing blog, Claudia takes on a crumbling old house --- one that unbeknownst to her has an ugly history and may hide long-buried secrets. For Zoey Drake, the defining moment of her childhood was the horrific home invasion murder of her parents. Years later, she has embraced the rage that fuels her and is ready to face the demons from the past. These two women are on a collision course, because Zoey’s past nightmare and Claudia’s dreams for her future take place in the very same house. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read a review.
Click here to read the interview.
Featured Review: I FOUND YOU by Lisa Jewell
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
I FOUND YOU by Lisa Jewell (Psychological Suspense)
Audiobook available, read by Helen Duff
In a windswept British seaside town, single mom Alice Lake finds a man sitting on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. Against her better judgment, she invites him inside. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night, she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed. Twenty-three years earlier, Gray and Kirsty are teenagers on a summer holiday with their parents. An enigmatic young man soon starts paying extra attention to Kirsty. Something about him makes Gray uncomfortable --- and it’s not just that he’s playing the role of protective older brother. Reviewed by Katherine B. Weissman.
I FOUND YOU will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. You can read Carol’s commentary in next week's newsletter.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
LETTERMAN: The Last Giant of Late Night by Jason Zinoman (Biography/Entertainment)
Audiobook available, read by Michael Goldstrom
In a career spanning more than 30 years, David Letterman redefined the modern talk show with an ironic comic style that transcended traditional television. While he remains one of the most famous stars in America, he is a remote, even reclusive, figure whose career is widely misunderstood. In LETTERMAN, Jason Zinoman mixes groundbreaking reporting with unprecedented access and probing critical analysis to explain the unique entertainer’s titanic legacy. Moving from his early days in Indiana to his retirement, Zinoman goes behind the scenes of Letterman’s television career to illuminate the origins of his revolutionary comedy, its overlooked influences, and how his work intersects with and reveals his famously eccentric personality. Reviewed by John Bentlyewski.
NO EASY TARGET by Iris Johansen (Thriller)
Audiobook available, narrated by Elisabeth Rodgers
Raised off the grid in an abusive home, Margaret Douglas’ only escape was the nearby forest where she sought refuge. There, she discovered a strange gift: the ability to understand animals and to communicate with them. But her abilities have not gone unnoticed, and there are those who would use them for their own purposes. Determined not to be a pawn in anyone’s game, every time someone gets too close, Margaret uproots her life and outruns them. When CIA operative John Lassiter breaks into Margaret’s apartment, she vanishes again, but Lassiter has good reason to be persistent. As a CIA operative, he owes his life to his men, one of whom is being held captive by an unrelenting enemy --- an enemy who has set his sights on Margaret. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
LAST HOPE ISLAND: Britain, Occupied Europe, and the Brotherhood That Helped Turn the Tide of War by Lynne Olson (History)
Audiobook available, read by Arthur Morey and Kimberly Farr
When the Nazi blitzkrieg rolled over continental Europe in the early days of World War II, the city of London became a refuge for the governments and armed forces of six occupied nations who escaped there to continue the fight. So, too, did General Charles de Gaulle, the self-appointed representative of free France. As the only European democracy still holding out against Hitler, Britain became known to occupied countries as “Last Hope Island.” Getting there, one young emigré declared, was “like getting to heaven.” Acclaimed historian Lynne Olson takes us back to those perilous days when the British and their European guests joined forces to combat the mightiest military force in history. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
FEAST OF SORROW: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Simon Vance
On a blistering day in the 26th year of Augustus Caesar’s reign, a young chef, Thrasius, is acquired for the exorbitant price of 20,000 denarii. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius, who wants nothing more than to serve as culinary advisor to Caesar, an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome's leading epicure. Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success, and with Thrasius’ help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal, his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
THE LAST NEANDERTHAL by Claire Cameron (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Stathoplos and Casey Turner
Forty-thousand years in the past, the last family of Neanderthals roams the earth. After a crushingly hard winter, their numbers are low, but Girl, the oldest daughter, is just coming of age. Her family is determined to travel to the annual meeting place and find her a mate. But the unforgiving landscape takes its toll, and Girl is left alone to care for Runt, a foundling of unknown origin. As Girl and Runt face the coming winter storms, Girl realizes she has one final chance to save her people. In the modern day, archaeologist Rosamund Gale works well into her pregnancy, racing to excavate newly found Neanderthal artifacts before her baby comes. Linked across the ages by the shared experience of early motherhood, both stories examine the often taboo corners of women's lives. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
WHAT IT MEANS WHEN A MAN FALLS FROM THE SKY: Stories by Lesley Nneka Arimah (Magical Realism/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Adjoa Andoh
In “Who Will Greet You at Home,” a woman desperate for a child weaves one out of hair, with unsettling results. In “Wild,” a disastrous night out shifts a teenager and her Nigerian cousin onto uneasy common ground. In "The Future Looks Good," three generations of women are haunted by the ghosts of war, while in "Light," a father struggles to protect and empower the daughter he loves. And in the title story, in a world ravaged by flood and riven by class, experts have discovered how to "fix the equation of a person" --- with rippling, unforeseen repercussions. This debut collection explores the ties that bind parents and children, husbands and wives, lovers and friends to one another and to the places they call home. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
HARD-HEARTED HIGHLANDER: The Highland Grooms, Book 3 by Julia London (Historical Romance)
An ill-fated elopement cost English-born governess Bernadette Holly her reputation, her unsuitable lover and any chance of a future match. She has nothing left to fear --- not even the bitter, dangerously handsome Scot due to marry her young charge. Naive wallflower Avaline is terrified to wed Rabbie Mackenzie, but if he sends her home, she will be ruined. Bernadette's solution: convince Rabbie to get Avaline to cry off…while ignoring her own traitorous attraction to him. Reviewed by Hillary Wagy.
THE BOY IN THE EARTH written by Fuminori Nakamura, translated by Allison Markin Powell (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, narrated by Brian Nishii
As an unnamed Tokyo taxi driver works a night shift, picking up fares that offer him glimpses into the lives of ordinary people, he can’t escape his own nihilistic thoughts. Almost without meaning to, he puts himself in harm’s way; he can’t stop daydreaming of suicide, envisioning himself returning to the earth in obsessive fantasies that soon become terrifying blackout episodes. The truth is, his long-estranged father has tried to reach out to him, triggering a cascade of traumatic memories. As the cab driver wrestles with the truth about his past and the history of violence in his childhood, he must also confront his present, which is no less complicated or grim. Reviewed by Austin Manchester.
MIKE HAMMER: THE WILL TO KILL by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins (Hard-boiled Mystery)
Taking a midnight stroll along the Hudson River, Mike Hammer gets more than he bargained for: a partial corpse on an ice floe. The body is that of a butler who spent the last years of his life working for a millionaire --- also now deceased --- and his notoriously privileged children. Were both master and servant murdered? Captain Pat Chambers thinks so. But to prove it, Hammer must travel to upstate New York to investigate the dead man’s family, all of whom have a motive for murder --- and one of whom has a taste for it. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
EVERY NIGHT I DREAM OF HELL by Malcolm Mackay (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Angus King
Nate Colgan is a violent man, a “smart muscle” for the Jamieson organization. But now, with its most powerful individuals either dead or behind bars, things within the organization are beginning to shift. When Nate is reluctantly appointed its new “security consultant,” he can little imagine how things are about to unravel. It begins with an execution, and soon the various factions within the organization are sent into chaos. But out of the confusion comes one clear fact: a new group has arrived in Glasgow, and in their quest for power they are prepared to ignite a war. But who is behind the group? And why has the calculating Zara Cope --- the mother of Nate's child --- suddenly appeared back in town? Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
MARSHALL'S LAW by Ben Sanders (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by George Newbern
Ex-undercover cop Marshall Grade is hiding out in California when he learns that federal agent Lucas Cohen has survived a kidnapping. Cohen was Marshall’s ticket into witness protection, and his captors have a simple question: Where’s Marshall now? Marshall’s undercover work gave him a long list of enemies, and the enemy in this case is a corrupt businessman named Dexter Vine. Vine is almost broke, in debt to people even worse than himself, and he wants to settle old scores while he has time. He’s hired Ludo Coltrane --- a nonchalant psychopath and part-time bar manager --- to find Marshall at any cost. Ludo is no stranger to killing, but his associate, the cash-strapped ex-con Perry Rhodes, may prove more of a liability than an asset. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on May 1st and 2nd
Below are some notable titles releasing on May 1st and 2nd that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks releasing the week of May 1st, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
May 1st
16th SEDUCTION by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Thriller)
Detective Lindsay Boxer faces a heart-stopping threat in James Patterson and Maxine Paetro’s newest Women's Murder Club thriller.
May 2nd
AGAINST ALL ODDS by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
Kate Madison’s stylish resale shop has been a big SoHo success, supporting her and her four kids since her husband’s untimely death. Now they are grown and ready to forge lives of their own. And they all choose to play against the odds, to their mother’s dismay.
THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by Mary Kay Andrews (Cooking)
You don’t have to own a beach house to enjoy Mary Kay Andrews’ recipes. All you need is an appetite for delicious, casual dishes, cooked with the best fresh, local ingredients and presented with the breezy flair that make Mary Kay’s novels a summertime favorite at the beach.
BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan (Historical Fiction)
Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, BENEATH A SCARLET SKY is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours.
THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP by Graeme Simsion (Fiction/Humor)
Set to the soundtrack of our lives, THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP follows along with emotion and humor as one man looks back on his past and decides if having a second chance is worth the risk.
BETWEEN THEM: Remembering My Parents by Richard Ford (Memoir)
For Richard Ford, the questions of what his parents dreamed of, how they loved each other and loved him become a striking portrait of American life in the mid-century. BETWEEN THEM is his vivid image of where his life began and where his parents’ lives found their greatest satisfaction.
THE BROKEN ROAD by Richard Paul Evans (Fiction)
A broken man. A twist of fate. A second chance. From the bestselling author of THE MISTLETOE PROMISE and THE WALK comes the first novel in a riveting new trilogy that explores the tantalizing question: What if you could start over?
THE FALLEN: A Testament Novel by Eric Van Lustbader (Supernatural Thriller)
In the sequel to his internationally bestselling THE TESTAMENT, Eric Van Lustbader delivers a new trilogy that explores religion, politics and civilization; plumbs the depths of morality; and asks us to consider what it really means to be human.
A FILTHY BUSINESS by William Lashner (Thriller)
At a bar, brutally efficient fixer Phil Kubiak recounts the long story of his bitter life to the only person left to listen. A journalist in pursuit of a career-making interview seeks not only an award-winning profile but also something more…something darker. Will what she sees in Phil’s empty gaze spur her toward forgiveness --- or vengeance?
GINNY MOON by Benjamin Ludwig (Fiction)
GINNY MOON is at once quirky, charming, heartbreaking and poignant. It’s a story about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and about making sense of a world that just doesn’t seem to add up.
INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins (Psychological Thriller)
A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.
PROVING GROUND by Peter Blauner (Thriller)
PROVING GROUND, Edgar Award winner Peter Blauner’s first novel in more than a decade, is a sweeping crime novel, an intricate story about the quest for redemption, and a vibrant portrait of contemporary New York City.
ROBERT B. PARKER'S LITTLE WHITE LIES: A Spenser Novel by Ace Atkins (Mystery)
Boston PI Spenser and right hand Hawk follow a con man’s trail of smoke and mirrors. After conning everyone from the cable news shows to the local cops, it looks like the grifter’s latest double cross may be his last.
TRAJECTORY: Stories by Richard Russo (Fiction/Short Stories)
Richard Russo's characters in these four expansive stories bear little similarity to the blue-collar citizens we're familiar with from many of his novels.
WALKING ON MY GRAVE: A Death on Demand Mystery by Carolyn Hart (Mystery)
In Carolyn Hart’s latest Death on Demand Mystery, bookseller Annie Darling learns that murder and money go hand in hand.
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Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What You're
Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from April 28th to May 12th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of GINNY MOON by Benjamin Ludwig and INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
Sounding Off on Audio Contest: Tell Us What You're Listening to --- and You Can Win Two Audiobooks!
Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from April 3rd to May 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Steve Berry's THE LOST ORDER, read by Scott Brick, and Lisa Scottoline's ONE PERFECT LIE, read by George Newbern.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the audiobook, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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